data.ai kicks off 2024 with its State of Mobile report, unveiling record highs in app usage, intensified app and game competition, and the breakdown of the $107.31 billion mobile game revenues in 2023. The report notes a 6% increase in daily app usage, surpassing five hours in mobile-first markets, creating opportunities for brand-consumer connections, especially in the top 10 markets.

Indonesia leads in daily app usage with over six hours, followed by Thailand, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil with over five hours. Japan, Australia, and Canada show the fastest growth in time spent.

In the app vs. game scenario, global consumer spending rose by 3% in 2023, with South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey leading at over 25% YoY growth. Mobile games dominated with $107.3 billion, while other app categories generated $64 billion, experiencing a 20-fold increase since 2014.

The rise is attributed to "need-to-have" apps displaying resilience in turbulent economies. Mobile games, despite their meteoric figures, saw a 2% spending decline, sparking the question: "Will consumers soon spend more in apps than games?"

Combining app and mobile game revenue, 2023 reached over $171 billion. The $107.31 billion mobile game spending was predominantly from China ($37.63 billion) and the US ($23.92 billion), contributing over half of the global revenues.

The UK spent $2.19 billion on mobile games, its second-highest total, despite declining downloads. China and the US led in downloads with 29.32 billion and 4.44 billion, while Brazil surpassed the US in downloads but contributed less spending, indicating a prevalence of free-to-play gamers.

Japan, with fewer downloads (600 million), demonstrated substantial spending ($12.78 billion), emphasizing Japanese players' willingness to invest in mobile games. India's growth, though modest ($20 million increase from 2020 to 2023), is projected to rise by 49% YoY until 2028 according to Google.

data.ai's comprehensive report extends insights into the performances of ChatGPT, art generators, and more.

Source: adapted from an article by Aaron Astle, News Editor for PocketGamer.biz.